Üsküdar University IEEE Student Branch, Doğuş University IEEE Student Branch, and IEEE Robotics & Automation Society organized the ‘RASTAGE 23’ summit, hosted by Üsküdar University. The event, which covered topics such as digital transformation, digitalization, artificial intelligence technologies, the fourth phase of industry, and digitalized production technologies, featured robots that could be experienced hands-on and visually. Participants had the opportunity to meet leading companies and their executives in the booth areas, and various raffles were also held within the scope of the event.
The event, held at Üsküdar University Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, was attended by Halıcı Grup CEO Hüseyin Halıcı, OTOKAR Digital Transformation Manager Gürol Çokünlü, Mitsubishi Electric Product Management and Marketing Department Manager Tolga Bizel, MCS Grup CEO Adem Kayar, and Turkcell Global Private Technology and Infrastructure Unit Manager Tekin Altun as guests. The opening speech of the event was given by Berkay Olcay, President of the Robotics and Automation Club of Doğuş University IEEE Student Branch.
Hüseyin Halıcı: “Digital transformation is the common point of all of them”
Halıcı Grup CEO Hüseyin Halıcı drew attention to the fact that the commercial use of technology changes our way of life. Halıcı said; “It is not possible for people to know everything; the most important thing in life is to learn something very quickly and not be afraid of it. The commercial use of technology is changing our way of life. Mechanics were discovered, electricity was discovered, electronics were discovered. By using all of these, a new approach emerged, which is a form of production independent of humans. We will use technological advantages to have physical phenomena carried out by machines and systems. However, we can only work with this goal. Developed countries immediately found a new concept to reduce the influence of China and the Far East. In America, we call it AET; in some Far Eastern countries, it's the Smart City concept; the Germans found the Industry 4.0 concept, and the Japanese developed the Society 5.0 concept… The common point of all these is digital transformation.”
“Digital transformation is not an option for us, but a necessity”
Halıcı, stating that artificial intelligence will coexist with digital transformation and that we will transform into a structure we call a super-conscious society, said; “Industry 4.0, under the leadership of artificial intelligence, differs from automated factories that can think for themselves in that the essence of this artificial intelligence is to produce machines, algorithms, and systems that can think like humans. Society 5.0, on the other hand, is about using digital transformation in an individual's life and combining the virtual space, called cyber, with the real space. In the future, digital transformation will not only be for informational purposes as a game or entertainment but will also transform into an area where, for example, public affairs are conducted. We can easily see how proportional the change in society is to industry; now, artificial intelligence will coexist with digital transformation, and we will transform into a structure we call a super-conscious society. You will experience this. Digital transformation is not an option for us, but a necessity. Therefore, we need to take it seriously and approach it accordingly. As a company and as a team, we organize and will continue to organize such events to explain the importance of digitalization in society, especially for employees and students, regarding everyone's adaptation to digital transformation.”
Gürol Çokünlü: “We needed Industry 4.0 to overcome inefficiencies”
OTOKAR Digital Transformation Manager Gürol Çokünlü pointed out that there is currently an economic model entirely based on consumption. Çokünlü said; “Currently, there is an economic model entirely based on consumption. Triggered by this, we started experiencing the fourth industrial revolution. The demand for personalized products means that while everyone used to buy Ford's black car, now they want one of OTOKAR's vehicles on the same production line to have yellow upholstery, another to have a specific front panel, one to be two-door, and another to be three-door. We also want to minimize our stock as much as possible and receive the right part at the right time. This is why we needed Industry 4.0, so we can overcome these inefficiencies. Because if you try to track these with human intelligence and human hands, it is simply not possible to achieve that efficiency. To achieve this, we use Industry 4.0.”
“With digital transformation, we decide, and it acts on our behalf”
Çokünlü, stating that all links in the value chain must communicate with each other as a manufacturing factory, said; “We needed digital transformation to ensure productivity, provide the flexibility customers demand, and maintain quality while producing a new vehicle every time. What does digital transformation provide us with? It is actually the ability to integrate all processes, from sales to product delivery. As a manufacturing factory, all links in our value chain need to communicate with each other. What we are trying to say is, with digital transformation, we decide, and it acts on our behalf.”
Tolga Bizel: “The goal of all is personalized production”
Mitsubishi Electric Product Management and Marketing Department Manager Tolga Bizel drew attention to digitalized production technology. Bizel said; “We are talking about the fourth phase of industry, digitalized production technology. The goal of all is personalized production. A digital robot is created in the virtual world and used in projects. If I were to enter a knowledge competition with it, I would lose, but if I were to enter an art competition with it, it would lose, and I would win.”
“Artificial intelligence technologies are the building blocks of the industrial era”
Bizel, stating that Mitsubishi Electric uses artificial intelligence technologies and processes them in three main sections, said; “Since 2003, Mitsubishi Electric has been producing solutions and products for the digital transformation of factories with its I-Factory concept. In the Industry 4.0 era, production technologies will change. The widespread adoption of personalized production is foreseen. Mitsubishi Electric uses artificial intelligence technologies and processes them in three main sections. These are; deep learning, reinforcement learning, and big data analysis. Artificial intelligence has transformed with evolving computing power and has now entered everywhere. This is the dramatic transformation of this industrial era. The combination of software technologies and mechanics provides opportunities to achieve legendary works. I believe that artificial intelligence technologies are the building blocks of this industrial era.”
Adem Kayar: “Learn to dream and love it”
MCS Grup CEO Adem Kayar gave advice to participants for the future. Kayar, advising young people to become entrepreneurs, said; “I recommend you establish your own company. Everything is becoming digital now. The next era is already the digital age. You were already born into this era. This is an advantage. We saw it later, but we dreamed it. I believe that in 5-10 years, you too can become very successful, recognized people in the market. Look at the most famous people in the world; they are all people who started with a dream at your age. So, learn to dream and love it. None of us are different from one another. If you set a goal, if you want something, you will achieve it one way or another.”
“You are our future”
Kayar, emphasizing that it is impossible not to achieve success after doing these, said, “You are our future; the more we can share what we know with young people like you, the better. Life goes on; there is a life cycle. When I get old, my needs, both socially and technologically, will be there. We need to plan that organization now so that my standard of living and comfort can continue when I get old. That's why we established an institution called ‘Society 5.0’. We established it to be with you, guide you, and share our knowledge.”
Tekin Altun: “IT is a fortunate sector in terms of finding employment”
Within the scope of the event, Turkcell Global Private Technology and Infrastructure Unit Manager Tekin Altun provided information about the IT sector. Altun said; “If you are going to work in the IT sector, you can find a job very quickly. IT is a fortunate sector in this regard. So, what are the most commonly taken trainings in Turkey? Introduction to programming related to algorithm development, CI, and the basic beginnings of software like Python, Java – everyone is looking at the same things. Choose a sector, an area for yourself, search for a job in that field, wait, and find it.”
“I have people I called and offered jobs to before they even finished school!””
Altun, stating that a person cannot go anywhere without a goal, said; “Another important topic is LinkedIn. I have people I called and offered jobs to before they even finished school. Fill it out well. Develop yourself, fill out your CV, attend trainings, and strive to get certificates while still in school; the extra certificates you obtain are an advantage and distinguishing features for your selection. Constantly make future plans; if you don't have a goal, you can't go anywhere. Don't stop your development process. Collect references and get them in writing. Aim to work in one place for 2-3 years, keep your career at this point, but also be open to job opportunities.”
The event, which attracted great interest from participants, concluded with a group photo session after the Q&A event.
Reporter: Eda Nur Keçeci